Coded alarm station



y 1966 w. F. SCHUCHARD ET AL 3,253,272

CODED ALARM STATION Filed June 21, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORN S May24, 1966 w. F. SCHUCHARD ET AL CODED ALARM STATION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed June 21, 1960 WATTO EY;

y 1966 w. F. SCHUCHARD ET AL 3,253,272

CODED ALARM STATION 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 21, 1960 INVENTORSmMM/dgwm;,m

' 9ATTO1NEY May 24, 1966 w. F. SCHUCHARD ET AL 3,253,272

CODED ALARM STATION Filed June 21, 1960 I 4 s Sheets-Sheet 4 WWMXWMQPW BI W AT RNEYS y- ,1966 w. F. SCHUCHARD ETAI. 3,253,272

I CODED ALARM STATION Filed Jqna 21, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F I G. 7INVENTORS ATTORNEYS United States Patent CODED ALARM STATION Walter F.Schuchard, Hingham, and Carl A. P. Johnson, Braintree, Mass., assignorsto S. H. Couch Corporation, North Quincy, Mass.

Filed June 21, 1960, Ser. No. 37,786

' 31 Claims. (Cl. 340-307) The present invention relates to a codedalarm station. More particularly it relates to a device capableoftransmitting a coded signal to a central station when actuated.

Coded alarm stations of the type herein described are commonly used infire alarm systems. In such systems, a plurality of alarm stationsstrategically located in a building, for example, are electricallyconnected to a central station. Each coded station is capable oftransmitting an identifying electrical signal.

Several features in such stations are normally desirable. First, theymust be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.Secondly, they must be easy to service, install and test. Thirdly, theymust be rugged, durable and reliable.

The present invention satisfies such requirements. In the presentinvention, there is provided a simply constructed 'but rugged andreliable coded alarm station. Operative gearing mechanism is optimumlydesigned to permit easy and inexpensive assembly.

Among the unique features in the present invention is a main drive shaftwhich functions to transmit drive power to the motor from the operatinghandle and also functions as a master assembly shaft interengaging majorcomponents of the structure. 7

The present invention also provides a unique housing or casingarrangement designed to provide maximum protection for the unit againstweathering," and also for ease in installation and servicing.

The housing is also provided with means for supporting a false alarmdeterrent glass rod. Such means are arranged to permit insertion orreplacement of the rod without dismantling the casing. Further, thehousing arrangement permits station testing without the need to break orremove the glass rod. The housing is also designed to securely lock theglass rod in position so that it will not slip or rattle.

An'easily accessible pull handle is also provided in the face'of thecasing for operation of the station. The

handle is interengaged with the motor gearing so that a single downwardmovement of the handle will actuate the station. The handle becomesdisengaged after it has been pulled down so that it will not interferewith signal transmission once initiated. I

Also provided in the present invention is a trip lever mechanism whichis adapted to perform a plurality of functions. This mechanism uponactuation of the station, closes a shunt contact which may be used for aplurality of auxiliary signalling purposes. Such shunt contact might beused to actuate a steady on light at the central station for indicatingwhen a particular station requires servicing. In addition, thismechanism functions to precisely stop the signal sequence after thetransmission of a selected number of four successive repeat signals.This trip lever mechanism also operates to disengage the handle from themotor when the station is transmitting a signal.

The present invention also provides a locking mechanism actuated by thetrip lever mechanism for holding the shunt contacts closed once closedby movement of the trip lever mechanism. This locking mechanism may bereleased and the lever mechanism reset by a unique arrangement includinga moveable retaining plate for the glass rod. This retaining platesecures the glass rod in position for breaking when the handle ispulled. The

mice

plate, however, may be moved for insertion of a new glass rod. On suchmovement a lever linkage system simultaneously resets the shunt contact.

In addition to'these features, the present invention provides a uniquegovernor system for controlling the sequential pulse rate of the codedsignal.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will bemore clearly understood when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the coded station taken frombelow,

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the coded alarm station taken fromabove with the pull handle partially pulled down,

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the coded station showing themounting frame open and the motor removed,

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective exploded view of portions of thecasing,

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view taken substantially along the line55 of FIG. 1 illustrating the motor assembly in full outline,

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the motor assembly,

' FIG. 7 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the invention,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the invention takenalong the line 8-8 of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail of the locking mechanlsm.

The casing 10 is formed with a front face 11 having a rectangularaperture 12 formed in it. This aperture 12 is bordered by rectangularaperture walls 14 (FIG. 4'), thereby forming a well or aperture 12. Thefront face 11 of the casing 10 is bordered by side walls 15 integral andextending normal from the face 11.

An aperture cover plate 16 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and a handle 17 are securedin theaperture 12 formed by the walls 14. The aperture cover plate 16 isformed with oifset sections 18, 25 and 26, best illustrated in FIGS. 4and 5. The periphery of the cover plate forms a main uniplanar section18. This section 18 has a plurality of screw holes 19 formed preferablyat its corners. Set screws 20 project through these holes and secure theplate 16 to the rear edges of the walls 14 so that forwardly projectingsection 25 is secured, intermediate the forward and rear edges of thewalls 14, and the sectional 26 is secured coplanarly with the front face11.

Section 26, coplanar with face 11 has generally an inverted T-shapedconfiguration with the stern of that having a width almost as great asthe length of the cross bar of the T. The sidewalls of the section 26are normal to the face 11. The upper sidewall or connecting web 41interconnects portions of sections 25 and 26.

Section 25, postioned intermediate the edges of walls 14, forms anoffset continuation of section 26. The upper wall 62 of this section isinclined toward the plane of section 18. The other walls are normal tosection 18 opposite sidewalls 63 (FIG. 4) form continuations with thesidewalls 60 of the stem forming the T-shape of section 26.

Thehandle 17 is formed with a cross member 27 and arms 28 at either end.The arms 28 are rearwardly offset from the cross member 27. The crossmember 27 is formed with a recess 30 along its upper rear edge toprovide a finger gripping means. Each arm 28 is formed with journals 31aligned with one another. Intermediate the ends of the arms 28 andprojecting inwardly therefrom are the glass rod hook supports 32 shapedto secure main drive shaft 34 are secured in fixed relation in thesplined journals 31 of the handle 17. The shaft 34 rotatably projectsthrough the side walls 60 of section 26 of the aperture cover plate 16.The arms 28 of the handle are positioned on either side of the section25 intermediate the section 25 and the side walls 14 which form therecess in the casing. The forward surface of arms 28 are coplanar withface 11 while cross member 27 projects forwardly forming a fingerengageable projection best illustrated in FIG. 5. The glass rod 40 restson the upper surface of web 41 which interconnects the section 26 withthe section 25. Depending dogs 43 inte-- gral with the aperture coverplate and projecting forwardly from the sides of section 25 engage theupper portions of the glass rod at opposite ends to secure the rodagainst upward movement. The dogs 43 project forwardly to a pointimmediately behind the forward wall 45 of the arms 28 (FIG.

Pivotally secured to the upper portion of the section 25 is a retainingor glass rod break plate 46. This bar is adapted to engage the center ofthe glass rod 40 on forward pivotal movement of the handle 17. Since theglass rod supports 32 carry the glass rod 40 in a forward direction onforward pivotal movement of the handle, the plate 46, secured to the nonmovable plate 16, will engage the rod at the center as the handle movesforward, causing the rod to break. The plate 46 is rigidly fixed to therotatable shaft 47. This rotatable shaft 47 projects through the plate16. The inner end of the rotatable shaft 47 (FIG. 9) is formed with apin 48. This pin 48 Y is adapted to engage a lever arm assembly 50 whichis used for resetting the shunt contact hereafter described inconnection with the motor assembly.

Parallel channels 70 and 71 are formed between the side walls 14 and thewalls 15. These channels extend from the upper end of the casingdownwardly to the lower edge of the recess 12. Stops 72 and 73 projectpartially into the channels from the walls 14 (FIG. 4). The mountingframe 75 comprises a flat stamped out frame having holes 76 at itscorners through which the station may be secured to a wall recess byscrews or the like. The center of the frame has an opening 77 throughwhich the motor projects (FIGS. 3 and 5). The frame 77 is formed with aforwardly bent tab 78 at its upper end with a slot 79 formed in the tab.This slot 79 is adapted to receive a dead bolt 80 or similar lockingmeans of conventional nature positioned in the frame. A keyhole 81 isformed through the face of the casing for rotation of the dead bolt 80into engagement with the slot 79 when the casing is closed into flushalignment with the mounting frame 75. Y

The mounting frame 75 is also formed with forwardly projecting hingedtabs 85 at opposite corners of its lower end. These hinge tabs 85 areformed with a hole through which'supporting shaft 86 projects. Thissupporting shaft 86 is secured at its ends in the mounting blocks 87which are integrally formed at the lower corners of the casing. Theshaft 86 fits into aligned slots formed at the rear of these mountingblocks 87 and is secured in this position by screws 88. The hinge tabs85 are adapted to pivot freely about the fixed shaft 86. The casing 10is also secured to the mounting frame by means of opposite hinge arms 90and 91. These hinge arms 90, 91 are pivotally interengaged withforwardly turned side tabs 93 on the mounting frame 75. Each of theother ends of the hinge arms 90, 91 are formed with a cylindrical boss95 extending inwardly and normal to the hinge arm. These bosses 95 areslidably positioned one each within a channel 70 and 71. When tab 78 ofthe mounting frame 75 is unlocked from interengagement with the casing,the casing may be moved in a pivotal movement to a 90 relation with themounting frame as illustrated substantially in FIG. 3. The rigid hingearms 90, 91 slide downwardly in the channels 70, 71 until the bosses 95engage the stops 72, 73 thereby holding and securing the casingsubstantially normal to the mounting frame.

The sides of aperture plate 16 project over the channels 70, 71 leavingbut a narrow slot between the side edges of the plate 16 and the innersurface of the walls 15 as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The bosses aresecured within the channel by the side edges of the plate 16, with thehinge arms slidably projecting through these slots.

The motor means generally illustrated FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 at 98 isrigidly secured to the rear of the plate 16 by the main drive shaft 34which projects through the side walls 63 of the plate 16 and throughopposite motor support plates 99a and 99b. The motor support plates 99a,99b and 100 are secured in fixed spaced relation by a plurality of posts101a and 10117. The pair of plates 99a and 99b contain between them agear train generally indicated at 103, while the plate, 100 is spacedadjacent and parallel to plate 9%. The main drive spring 104 is securedbetween plates 99b and 100 with its outer end anchored to one post 101a.The motor support plates 99a and 99b are formed with holes in which themain drive shaft 34 is journalled. Rigidly fixed to this sions one'edge111 of gear toward the rear wall of cover plate 16. The quadrant gear105 engages pinion gear 115 which is integrally formed with one half ofclutch plate 116 on shaft 120. The other half, clutch plate 117,integral with gear 118 is also mounted on spring driven shaft 120. Also'coaxially mounted on the shaft 120 is the spring 121 which urges theclutch plate 116 towards the clutch plate 117. Clutch plate 116 has aslot 125 adapted to engage the beveled dog 126 so that on clockwiserotation of the shaft 120 as viewed in FIG. 8, the clutch plates 116 and117 will lock together. The main spring 104 has its inner end anchoredto the spring driven shaft 120. As indicated, the other end of the mainspring is fixed to a post 101a. The gear 118 meshes with a pinion gear130 which is freely rotatably mountedon shaft 131. The gear 130 isintegral with a freely rotatable one way clutch plate 133 formed with'anengaging shoulder 134. The shoulder 134 is adapted to engage acorresponding shoulder 135 on a coacting clutch plate 136. This clutchplate 136 is keyed to the shaft 131 and has a gear 135 formed integralwith it. The shoulders 134 and 135 are adapted to engage to rotate thegears 138 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6. A shoulder 139forming a one way rotating cam surface is formed on the peripheral wallof the plate 135. A helical spring 140 coaxial with the shaft 131 springtensions the clutch plate 133 into engagement with the plate 135. Thegear 130 engages a gear 118 and is driven by it. Also secured to theshaft 131 on the opposite side of support plate 99a, is a sleeve 149, aspacing collar on the sleeve, an insulated code wheel 151 which may ifdesired be formed of nylon or the like or which is otherwise suitablyinsulated, a lock washer 152 and a lock nut 153, which secures the codewheel 151 over the sleeve 149 and the sleeve in turn to the shaft 131.The code wheel is adapted to rotate with rotation of the shaft 131.

Pivotally mounted on shaft is a trip lever 161.

This trip lever is formed with a main body 162 and upper and is adaptedto maintain the clutch plate 116 to the left as viewed in FIG. 6,against the force of tension spring 121 on actuation of the station.Normally the free edge 180 of the lower tab 164 during such actuationrides between the plate 116 and gear 118 with its edge riding on thesurface of clutch plate 117, thereby maintaining them disengaged. Sincethe width of the tab 164 is greater than the major width of the clutchplate 117, the

clutch plates 116 and 117 are maintained apart. In the inoperativeposition of the station, the free end of the lower tab 164 engages thestop 170. The stop 170 is formed in the peripheral surface of the clutchplate 117.

' The trip lever 161 is formed with dogs 171, with trip lever 161supported on a shaft 160 which extends through holes in the oppositedogs 171. These dogs 171 are formed at opposite sides of the main body162. The upper tab 163 is bent substantially normal to the main body 162and engages the cam surface 134a. The free end 175 of this tab engagesthe shoulder 137 formed in the cam surface and prevents clockwisemovement of the cam and thereby the clutch plate 133 until the free end175 is disengaged from the shoulder 137. This prevents rotation of theshaft 131 through the spur gears 118 and pinion gear 130. The contactactuating arm 165 is formed of a rigid L-shaped member secured at oneend 185 to the main body 162 (FIGS. 6 and 8). An angle portion 186, ofthe arm 165 projects through a wide hole 187 in the supporting plate99a, (FIG. 5). The end of this angle portion is covered with aninsulating sleeve of nylon or the like. This free endengages a springarm 188 of a shunt contact 189. The shunt contact 189 is a double polecontact having spaced parallel leaf contacts 190 and 191 adapted to beconnected in series, respectively, with leaf contacts 195 and 188. Theleaf contacts 190, 191, 195 and 188 are each parallel spaced andsupported at one end in insulated relation by the shunt contact mountingblock 200 The insulated contact mounting block 192 in turn secured bysuitable means to the plate 99a. The contact leafs of block 200 aresuitably connected to an external circuit which may comprise a signallight or other transducer signalling means which, however, does notcomprise a portion of the invention. The contacts 188 and 195 serve aselectrical conductors and as tensioning means. The leaf spring contact188 normally tensions the angle portion 186 in such a manner that thefree end 180 of the lever 161 is tensioned into pressure contact withthe peripheral cam surface of clutch plate 117. In addition, whenactuated, the trip lever 161 pivots until the angle portion 186 pressesthe contact leaf 195 into engagement with the hooked arm 196 of thelever arm assembly 50.

This lever arm assembly 50 comprises an angle shaped member illustratedin FIG. 9 including a hook arm 196 having a hook end 197 and a cam arm198 normal thereto. The hook arm 196 is pivotally securedby a suitableshaft 199 to the side of the support plate 99a. The cam arm 198 isformed with a beveled edge 200 adapted tobe engaged by the pin 48. Whenthe pin 48 is rotated by a key inserted through the slot 201 in theshaft 47 the retaining plate 46 is rotated to release or replace theglass rod 40 and at the same time, the pin 48 hearing against thebeveled edge 200 causes the hooked arm 196 to pivot about the shaft 199.This will disengage the hook end 197 from the leaf 195.

As indicated, the code Wheel 151 is fixed to the shaft 131 on the outerside of plate 99a and is adapted to rotate with the shaft 131. This codewheel 151 is provided with a series of teeth 216 arranged in anyselected order or combinations. The code wheel illustrated in thedrawings is a code wheel for transmitting the signal 22-6. Othercombinations are obviously possible. Leaf contacts 220 and 221 aremounted in the insulating block 222 in turn secured to the side of plate99a. The leads 223 from the contacts 220 and 221 are suitably securedWithin the casing and pass outwardly through the rear clockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 6.

of it. The teeth 216 of code wheel 151 successively engage a bent overlip 223 of the contact 221 to close the contacts 220 and 221, therebyemitting a pulse signal on rotation of the code wheel.

A shaft 230 journalled in plates 99a and 9% has keyed to it a small gear231 and a larger gear 232. The small gear 231meshes with the spur gear138. The larger gear 232 meshes with another smaller gear 233 on theshaft 234 which is also journalled at its ends in the plates 99a and99b. The gear 233 is rotatably fixed to the rotatable shaft 234 as is alarger gear 235. This larger gear 235 meshes with a step release 236.This step release 236 is fixed to the bar 237 and comprises a transversebar having inwardly projecting teeth 239 at each end with the teeth 239adapted to engage teeth of gear 235. The 'bar 237 is formed with pins238 at its ends which are in turn journalled in the plates 99a and 99b.Secured intermediate the ends of the plate 237 is the governor member240. This governor member comprises a flat bar pivotally and adjustablysecured intermediate its ends to the plate 237, by screw 245. Counterweights 241 are secured at either end. By rotating the governor member240, into and out of alignment with the plate 237, the speed of thedevice may be variably controlled.

In the operation of this device, a signal may be transmitted to thecentral station by pulling the handle 17 down all the way. This rotatesthe shaft 34 and in turn rotates the quadrant gear against thetension'of spring 106. The quadrant gear 105 rotates the pinion gearcausing a rotation of the shaft 120. This rotation in turn winds themain spring 104. When the handle reaches a downward position, thequadrant gear 105 is tensioned in a reverse direction by spring 106.This causes the pinion gear 115 to rotate in a counter- When thisinitially occurs, the beveled dog 126 on the clutch plate 117 causes theclutch plate 116 to ride away from the plate 117 and thereby disengagethe beveled dog 126 from the slot in the clutch'plate 116. Thus, thehandle 117 is disengaged from shaft 120. The spring 104 then commencesto rotate shaft 120 in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG.6. This causes clockwise movement of the pinion gear which meshes withthe gear 118. Simultaneously, the tension of the spring-like leafcontact 188 against the angle portion 186 of the trip lever 161 causesthe free end 180 of the lower tab 164 to drop between the gear 118 andclutch plate 116 thereby maintaining the clutch plates 116 and 117 in adisengaged position. At the same time, the upper tab 163 is moved fromdisengagement with the shoulder 134 thereby releasing the motor from itspreviously locked position, permitting the spring 104 to drive the shaft120. The shaft 120 rotates carrying with it the gear 118 which in turnrotates the pinion gear 130 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG.6. This in turn rotates the shaft 131 and code wheel 151 when the clutchplate 133 engages the clutch plate 135. The plate 135 which is fixed tothe shaft 131 causes the shaft 131 to rotate in a clockwise direction asviewed in FIG. 6. This in turn causes a counter clockwise rotation ofthe gears 231 and 232 keyed to shaft 230, and a clockwise rotation ofgears 233 and 235. The motor will run-until the shoulder 134 rotates allthe Way back into engagement with the free end of upper tab 163 at whichtime, the motor will stop. In

the modification illustrated in the drawings, four complete cycles ofthe code wheel 210 occur when the handle is pulled all the way down.

A rectangular casing 300 may be suitably secured over cover plate, meanssecuring said plate over said aperture, a pivotable handle havingopposed arms positioned on one side of said cover plate, a motorassembly positioned on the other side of said plate and a common shaftjournalled in said plate supporting said motor assembly and pivotablysupporting said handle.

2. In an alarm station the combination of means for at least partiallyenclosing said station having an aperture formed therein, cover meansfor covering said aperture, a motor assembly comprising a motorpositioned on one side of said cover means, actuating means foroperatively actuating said motor on the other side of said cover means,and a common shaft rotatably journalled in .said covermeans, said shaftinterengaging and supporting said motor assembly and said actuatingmeans whereby movement of said actuating means will actuate said motor.

3. In an alarm station the combination of means for at least partiallyenclosing said station having an aperture formed therein, cover meansfor covering said aperture, an alarm generating motor assemblypositioned on one side of said cover means, a pivotable handle foractuating said motor means, a rotatable shaft journalled in said covermeans and projecting through a portion of said motor assembly therebyinterengaging said motor assembly and said cover means to form a commonsupport for said handle and said motor assembly, means rigidlyinterengaging said handle and shaft, and means operatively interengagingsaid motor assembly and shaft whereby said assembly will be actuated onrotation of said shaft.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means 'at leastpartially enclosing said station comprises .a casing having a front facein which said aperture is formed, continuous sidewalls at the peripheryof said face, and aperture walls spaced from said sidewalls borderingsaid aperture, and with said cover means secured within said casingadjacent said aperture Walls.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said motor assembly has aplurality of parallel motor support plates with said shaft projectingthrough and securing said plates with the edge thereof against saidcover means.

6. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sidewalls and aperturewalls are parallelly spaced thereby forming a pair of parallel channelsand said cover means projects over said aperture wall and partiallyconstrictssaid channels, a mounting frame, means pivotally interengagingone end of said frame and said casing, a pair of binge arms pivotallyengaged at one end with said frame intermediate the ends of said frame,and means slideably interengaging the other ends of said hinge arms andsaid channels with one in each of said channels.

7. In an alarm station the combination of a casing having a front facein which an aperture is formed, means including walls adjacent saidaperture forming parallel channels, a cover means for covering saidaperture and adapted to support an operating mechanism, means securingsaid cover means over said aperture with portions thereof extendingbeyond said aperture and partially constricting the open sides of saidchannels along at least,part of their lengths, a mounting frame forsecuring said alarm station to a wall, means pivotally interengagingsaid frame and said casing, a pair of hinge arms pivotally engaging saidframe at a position remote from the location of pivotal interengagementof said frame and said casing, and means slideably interengaging theother ends of said hinge arms with said channels with one arm in each ofsaid channels.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means forming a channelincludes walls forming said aperture and peripheral sidewalls borderingsaid front face, said cover means'having side edges positioned in spacedparallel relation with said peripheral sidewalls forming elongated slotslongitudinal of said channels and through which said hinge arms project.

9. In an alarm station having a casing having a front face in which anaperture is formed, a cover means for covering said aperture with aportion of said covering means positioned rearwardly of said front face,a handle having a cross member with arms normal to and integral with theends of said cross member, said arms having aligned, integral glass rodsupport hooks, one with each arm, means pivotally interengaging saidarms and said casing, a glass rod with its end supported in said glassrod support hooks, engaging means projecting over said glass rod toprevent vertical movement thereof when said handle is in an inoperativeposition, means interengaging said rod intermediate its ends to restrainpivotal movement of said handle and interengaged rod from saidinoperative position unless said rod is broken, means for adjustablymoving said last mentioned means to and from engagement with said rod,whereby said rod may be pivoted with said handle from said inoperativeposition without breaking, thereby disengaging said rod from saidengaging means for removal of said rod from said support hooks.

10. In an alarm station having a casing with a front face, meanscomprising a handle for actuating said station, means pivotally securingsaid handle means in said station, a frangible rod, means composite withsaid handle supporting said frangible rod, means secured to said stationfront face engaging said rod and operable to cause said rod to break onactuation of said handle, disengaging means for disengaging saidlastmentioned means from engagement with said rod whereby said handle"may be actuated without said rod breaking.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means engaging saidrod comprises a glass rod retaining plate, said disengaging meanscomprising means pivotally supporting said plate on said casing andmeans adapted to pivot said plate to and from engagement with said rod,said rod positioned between said plate and said casing. 12. In an alarmstation having a casing with a front face having'a recessed portionformed therein, a handle having a 'crosspiece and parallel arms integralwith said cross piece, means journalling said arms in said recessedportion for pivotal rotation of said handle from an inoperative positionwhereby said station is actuated, said arms having upwardly open,aligned rod support hooks,

a frangible rod supported by said hooks and adapted to v be movedforwardly from said casing on pivotal movement of said handle, meanssecuring said rod in said hooks when said handle is in an inoperativeposition comprising dogs integral with said casing and projectingforwardly into engagement with and above said rod when said handle is inan inoperative position, plate means restraining said rod from forwardmovement unless said rod is broken comprising a plate engaging said rodintermediate its ends, means adjustably securing said plate means tosaid casing whereby said plate means may be disengaged from said rod forfree forward movement of said rod with said handle.

13. A device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said handle is formed withsaid arms rearwardly extending with respect to said cross piece and saidhooks are displaced rearwardly with respect to said cross piece, andsaid cross piece lies substantially in the plane of said front face whensaid handle is in an inoperative position, said cross piece having afinger engaging recess formed therein.

14. In an alarm station the combination of a casing having a front facewith peripheral and continuous sidewalls, means forming an aperture insaid front face bordered by continuous aperture walls integral with saidfront face and extending rearwardly therefrom, an outer cover platehaving a peripheral section extending about said cover plate and a baseplate section projecting forwardly from said peripheral section andinterconnect therewith by integral cover plate sidewalls, means securingsaid casing and'cover plate together with said peripheral sectioncontinuously 'engaging said aperture walls in sealed relation and withsaid base plate section projecting forwardly into said aperture, saidcover plate sidewalls being spaced from said aperture walls, a handlemeans for actuation of said station, and means projecting through saidcover plate sidewalls for interengagement of said handle means and theoperative mechanism of saidstation to enable ready removal of saidhandle and operative mechanism as a unit from said casing.

15. In an alarm station, actuating means for emitting a coded signalcomprising support means, a spring driven shaft mounted in said supportmeans, a main spring engaging said shaft and adapted to be 'wound byrotation of said shaft in one direction for subsequent rotation of saidshaft in the other direction, .a clutch having interengagable halveswith one half keyed to said shaft and the other half axially slidablypositioned on said shaft, means formed on said halves adapted to engagesaid halves when said shaft is rotated in said one direction anddisengage said halves when saidshaft is rotated in the other direction,a pinion gear integral with said other half, a quadrant gearinterengaged with said pinion gear, a main shaft on which said quadrantgear is keyed journalled in said support means and also having anactuating handle keyed thereto, means spring tensioning said quadrantgear-to move in a direction wherebysaid spring driven shaft is rotatedin said other direction, a driving gear integral with said one half, agear train operatively engaged with said driving gear and with a portionthereof keyed to a coded wheel shaft, and means including a coded wheelmounted on said coded wheel shaft for message transmission on rotationof said coded wheel shaft.

16. A device as set forth in claim 15 having a trip lever with amainbody, upper tab and lower tab, means pivotally supporting said triplever on said support means with said upper tab adapted to engage a gearin said gear train for stopping the operation of said activating means,

said lower tab nor-mally bearing against said clutch when said halvesare together and normally moving to apositionbetween said halves whensaid halves separate, said 1 lower tab maintaining said upper tab insaid engaged position when bearing against said clutch, and spring meansnormally tensioning said lower tab toward said clutch whereby said lowertab will move between said halves when said clutch halves disengage. 1 I

17. A device as set forth in claim 15 having a trip lever with a mainbody, upper tab and lower tab, means pivotally supporting said triplever on said support means with said upper and lower tabs substantiallynormal to said main body, said gear train having a gear with anengageable shoulder formed therein with said shoulder and upper tabinterengaged to maintain said actuating means inoperative, said'lowertab bearing against said clutch when said halves are together, means fortensioning said lower tab toward said clutch and movement therebetween'when said halves are separated whereby said upper tab will bedisengaged from said engageable shoulder.

18. A device as set forth in claim 17 having a second gear traininterengaged with said first gear train, governor means interengagedwith said second gear train for control of said actuating meansincluding a governor shaft mounted for oscillating motion about itsaxis, a

- step secured to said governor shaft and having a plurality of teethadapted to engage a gear of said gear train in a stepped motion, and alever pivotally secured intermediate its ends to said shaft mounted foroscillation with weights secured to the end of said last mentionedlever.

19. In an alarm station, actuating means for emitting a coded signalcomprising a coded wheel, shaft means on which said coded wheel ismounted, a gear train for rotating said shaft, spring means adapted ontensioning to operatively drive said train for rotation of said. shaft,actuating means for tensioning said spring means and normallyoperatively connected thereto, and means for disengaging said actuatingmeans from said spring means actuating means.

20. A device as set forth in claim 17 having means for automaticallystopping rotation of said shaft after a selected amount of rotation.

21. In an alarm station, actuating means for emitting a coded signalcomprising a coded wheel, shaft means on which said coded wheel ismounted, a gear train for rotating said shaft, spring means adapted ontensioning to operatively-drive said train for rotation of said shaft,actuating means for tensioning said spring means comprising a springdriven shaft adapted to tension said spring on rotation in onedirection, an operating handle, means including a clutch interengagingsaid handle and spring driven shaft for rotating said spring drivenshaft in said one direction, and means for disengaging said clutch anddisengaging said spring driven shaft and handle on rotation of saidspring driven shaft on rotation in the other direction.

22. In an alarm station, actuating means for emitting a coded signalcomprising a coded wheel, shaft means on which said coded wheel ismounted, a gear train for rotating said shaft, spring means adapted ontensioning to operatively drive said train for rotation of said shaft,actuating means for tensioning said spring means comprising a springdriven shaft adapted to tension said spring on rotation in onedirection, an operating handle, means operatively interengaging saidhandle and spring driven shaft for rotation of said shaft in said onedirection including a one way clutch disengageable on rotation of saidshaft in the other direction, and means for maintaining said clutchdisengaged comprising a trip lever having a lower tab adapted to bepositioned between engageable portions of said clutch when said portionsare disengaged.

23. A device as set forth in claim 22 having means normally tensioningsaid tab toward said clutch and said position between said portions, andwherein said means operatively interengaging said handle and said springdriven shaft includes a second gear train with spring means for normallytensioning said second gear train in a selected direction of rotation'whereby said clutch por- V means for engaging and securing in selectportions said electrical contacts when actuated by said contactactuating means, and means externally accessible of said station forreleasing said contacts from said positions.

27. A device as set forth in claim 26 wherein said engaging meanscomprises a hook arm adapted to engage said contacts on movementthereof, means pivotally supporting said hook arm, and means externallyaccessible comprises a rotatable sleeve having a keyhole formed thereinand mounted for rotation in said station, a pin secured normal to saidsleeve, a lever arm assembly having a cam surface engageable by saidpin, said lever arm assembly interengaged with said hook arm formovement thereof.

28. In an alarm station the combination of a casing forming at least inpart an outer cover for said station and having an aperture formedtherein, an aperture cover plate, means securing said plate over saidaperture, a handle having opposed arms positioned on one side of saidcover plate, a motor assembly comprising a motor positioned on the otherside of said plate and a shaft journalled in said plate and operativelyinterengaging said arms and said motor assembly to actuate said motor bysaid arms through said shaft, electrical contact means actuatable bysaid motor assembly whereby electrical contacts are moved to selectedpositions, hook arms means for securing said contacts in said positions,and means externally accessible of said station for releasing saidcontacts from said positions. 3

29. A device as set forth in claim 28 wherein said means externallyaccessible of said station comprises a lever linkage system interengagedwith said hook arm means. 3

30. A device as set forth in claim 29 having a frangible rod, meanssecuring said rod to said handle for movement therewith, and plate meansprojecting into the path of said rod whereby said rod will break onengagement with said plate means.

31. A device as set forth in claim 30 wherein said plate meansis'integrally associated with said lever linkage system and is adaptedon movement of said lever linkage system to be moved from a :positionprojecting into the :pathof said rod.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Abbott 340-2885/1870 12/1915 Clokey 340-309 8/1916 Avery 340309 4/ 1925 Fauser 16821/1929 Reeve 340-309 11/1946 Evans 340215 4/1952 Verkuil et al. 34030712/1955 Verkuil 340- 308 FOREIGN PATENTS 8/ 1927 Great Britain.

NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner.

E. R. REYNOLDS, R. H. ROSE, Examiners.

R. C. BAILEY, H. .T. PITTS, Assistant Examiners.

1. IN AN ALARM STATION THE COMBINATION OF A CASING FORMING AT LEAST INPART AN OUTER COVER FOR SAID STATION AND HAVING AN APERTURE FORMEDTHEREIN, AND APERTURE COVER PLATE, MEANS SECURING SAID PLATE OVER SAIDAPERTURE, A PIVOTABLE HANDLE HAVING OPPOSED ARMS POSITIONED ON ONE SIDEOF SAID COVER PLATE, A MOTOR ASSEMBLY POSITIONED ON TH OTHER SIDE OFSAID PLATE AND A COMMON SHAFT JOURNALLED IN SAID PLATE SUPPORTING SAIDMOTOR ASSEMBLY AND PIVOTABLY SUPPORTING SAID HANDLE.
 7. IN A ALARMSTATION THE COMBINATION OF A CASING HAVING A FRONT FACE IN WHICH ANAPERTURE IS FORMED, MEANS INCLUDING WALLS ADJACENT SAID APERTURE FORMINGPARALLEL CHANNELS, A COVER MEANS FOR COVERING SAID APERTURE AND ADAPTEDTO SUPPORT AN OPERATING MECHANISM, MEANS SECURING SAID COVER MEANS OVERSAID APERTRE WITH PORTIONS THEREOF EXTENDING BEYOND SAID APERTURE ANDPARTIALLY CONSTRICTING THE OPEN SIDES OF SAID CHANNELS ALONG AT LEASTPART OF THEIF LENGTHS, A MOUNTING FRAME FOR SECURING SAID ALARM STATIONTO A WALL, MEANS PIVOTALLY INTERENGAGING SAID FRAME AND SAID CASING, APAIR OF HINGE ARMS PIVOTALLY ENGAGING SAID FRAME AT A POSITION REMOTEFROM THE LOCATION OF PIVOTAL INTERENGAGEMENT OF SAID FRAME AND SAIDCASING, AND MEANS SLIDEABLY INTERENGAGING THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID HINGEARMS WITH SAID CHANNELS WITH ONE ARM IN EACH OF SAID CHANNELS.
 9. IN ANALARM STATION HAVING A CASING A FRONT FACE IN WHICH AN APERTURE ISFORMED, A COVER MEANS FOR COVERING SAID APERTURE WITH A PORTION OF SAIDCOVERING MEANS POSITIONED REARWARDLY OF SAID FRONT FACE, A HANDLE HAVINGA CROSS MEMBER WITH ARMS NORMAL TO AND INTEGRAL WITH THE ENDS OF SAIDCROSS MEMBER, SAID ARMS HAVING ALIGNED, INTEGRAL GLASS ROD SUPPORTHOOKS, ONE WITH EACH ARM, MEANS PIVOTALLY INTERENGAGING SAID ARMS ANDSAID CASING, A GLASS ROD WITH ITS END SUPORTED IN SAID GLASS ROD SUPPORTHOOKS, ENGAGING MEANS PROJECTING OVER SAID GLASS ROD TO PREVENT VERTICALMOVEMENT THEREOF WHEN SAID HANDLE IS IN AN INOPERATIVE POSTION, MEANSINTERENGAGING SAID ROD INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS TO RESTRAIN PIVOTAL MOVE-21. IN A ALARM STATION, ACTUATING MEANS FOR EMITTING A CODED SIGNALCOMPRISING A CODED WHEEL, SHAFT MEANS ON WHICH SAID CODED WHEEL ISMOUNTED, A GEAR TRAIN FOR ROTATING SAID SHAFT, SPRING MEANS ADAPTED ONTENSIONING TO OPERATIVELY DRIVE SAID TRAIN FOR ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT,ACTUATING MEANS FOR TENSIONING SAID SPRING MEANS COMPRISING A SPRINGDRIVEN SHAFT ADAPTED TO TENSION SAID SPRING ON ROTATION IN ONEDIRECTION, AN OPERATING HANDLE, MEANS INCLUDING A CLUTCH INTERENGAGINGSAID HANDLE AND SPRING DRIVEN SHAFT FOR ROTATING SAID SPRING DRIVENSHAFT IN SAID ONE DIRECTION, AND MEANS FOR DISENGAGING SAID CLUTCH ANDDISENGAGING SAID SPRING DRIVEN SHAFT AND HANDLE ON ROTATION OF SAIDSPRING DRIVEN SHAFT ON ROTATION IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.